Thankfully, the emergency medication was way stronger than the everyday one. Cyrielle had an easier time adapting to it, and she didn’t feel much different. Julie had strongly suggested she seek psychiatric help, but Cyrielle had refused. She didn’t want to go back to that dreadful time, when she needed the pills to face reality, when the thought of her father shook her to the core. As long as a second panic attack didn’t happen, she could convince herself that she was fine. It wasn’t healthy, she was aware of it, but she had firmly made her decision. Moreover, Path of Destiny had given her an assurance.

  [I don’t know why ‘coolheadedness’ suddenly stopped functioning, I reported the matter and got a random excuse. Either way, Path of Destiny wants to apologize for this step back along your way, and offers you the pearl gift : ‘Nerves of steel’.]

  ‘You reported the matter ? So that really means there is someone else.’

  [You do not have the authority to know that.]

  ‘I know, I know. Anyway, a gift is imprinted on me and never goes off, right ? This is way better than ‘coolheadedness’.’

  Despite her protests, Julie had reduced her workload drastically, and Cyrielle had a lot of free time. She used it to work on her goals, finishing the pn for her collection and drawing the fashion illustrations.

  [Congratutions, you have finished ‘Quest 7 : In concrete terms’ ! Proceeding with the next quest.]

  [{Make a collection}

  Quest 8 : Prototype time

  Your collection is complete ! On paper, that is. Now, it’s time to move your hands and actually create the prototypes ! Tip : If you want to present your collection during a runway, it is useful to fit the prototypes to the models who will be wearing them.]

  ‘A runway… I didn’t think about it at all. It’s true that if I want my collection to actually be recognized, I need to show it to the world. But I don’t know how to go about it at all ! Should I text Julie ?’

  At that moment, she heard the ring of her intercom. It had become a daily occurrence, Julie always making pns for someone to come and check on her once in the morning and once in the evening, just in case something bad happened again.

  Cyrielle walked out of her atelier and pressed the ‘open’ button, then unlocked her apartment. Julie had come this morning, so it was probably Coline. The blonde model had decided to come by at least once everyday, and she had compined that her agency was starting to throw a fit. As Cyrielle thought, it was her that opened the door.

  “Hi, Cyri ! Anything to report today ?”

  “Hello, Liny. Nothing at all. By the way, what did you bring ?”

  She was holding a big paper bag that smelled delicious.

  “Roasted chicken and potatoes. I know you like it, and you probably didn’t eat because you were too focused on your work, right ?”

  Coline had hit the bullseye. Cyrielle smiled and followed her to the kitchen, setting up the ptes and the cutlery while her friend was taking the food out of the bag. While they were eating the delicious meat, suddenly Cyrielle thought about something.

  “Wait… Aren’t you on a diet right now ?”

  Coline’s face became darker, and she lost her usual smile.

  “I have one good news and one that is ambiguous. Which one do you want first ?”

  “The ambiguous one. Is something bad happening ?”

  The blonde model put her fork back on the table and drank a sip of water before replying.

  “When that thing happened to you, and your CEO rushed over, I had a thought. If one day I also have an emergency situation, will my manager come as quickly ? Will the agency reorganize my schedule and suggest I make a doctor appointment ? The answer was ‘no’. They wouldn’t do that. They would just check if I was alive and functioning approximately, and bring me to another photoshoot. There isn’t any space for emotions, it’s only work.”

  She shrugged her shoulders and announced calmly, as if it wasn’t a big deal.

  “The end of my contract was coming up soon anyway, so I quit.”

  Cyrielle froze, a piece of potato still in her mouth. She forced herself to chew and swallow before reacting.

  “You quit your job ? But you like modeling !”

  “There is a difference between liking my job, and being treated like an object. I want to have the guarantee that, if worse comes to worst, my agency will think about me first. Which is why…”

  She took a paper out of her handbag. It was a contract.

  “I signed with Angel-Minet ! I’m officially your first coworker, let’s do our best !”

  Cyrielle almost choked. She was always looking elegant thanks to ‘refinement’, but her aura couldn’t hide her surprise.

  “You’re signed with us ?”

  Coline grinned at her shocked expression.

  “That’s why it’s ambiguous news. I quit, but now I’m in the same agency as you. Angel-Minet doesn’t have as much weight in the entertainment industry, but I believe you will take it to new heights. And more than this, I trust the boss to really take care of her talents.”

  She crossed her arms with a determined look.

  “Honestly, one month ago I would have been terrified, but now, with how they treated you during your time of need, and your album reaching top 20 for french artists, I think I made the best decision of my life.”

  She had trouble admitting it, but Cyrielle agreed with Coline’s words. During the week she had struggled with her mental health, her album had soared to new heights, with the help of Julie. The CEO was determined to not let even a small crack form in the public’s perception of Cyrielle, so she had doubled the promotion during her recovery process. The agency’s website was finished, with an extensive portfolio of their only talent’s activities, and the Instantgram and MyTube channel still posted their regur content. The cosmetic ad had even started airing, imprinting Cyrielle’s image even further in people’s minds. Julie had also posted short backstage videos in ‘Angel’s Horseboys’, not neglecting the fans. Nobody had any idea that Cyrielle was on a break, but she still received all the care she needed, including beauty salon’s appointments to help her rex, and care for her broken nails. It was undeniable that Angel-Minet was the best agency for their talents, be it career-wise, or for their attentive care.

  Cyrielle came to terms with the new situation, and sincerely congratuted Coline.

  “I’m happy for you, it surely is a good thing. I look forward to working with you.”

  The blonde model smiled and lifted her fork again.

  “On that note, I still have some good news for you ! That night, you remember that I was going to tell you something ? I know the boss took your personal phone during your recovery, and gave you an old one for emergencies, so you probably didn’t see it, but madame Dupuit prepared something very good for you !”

  Coline searched through her phone, and brought up a screenshot.

  “See this venue ? It’s cool, right ? During the fashion week, there are a lot of different pces that organize runways for small creators, independently from the main events. It’s not as huge and pompous, but it’s still very cool, and since a lot of big names from the fashion industry worldwide will be in the city for the main shows, sometimes they attend smaller events like this. Anyway, madame Dupuit got you a spot, and not a small one, at that ! She used her connections and actually got you the first position ! You will be the very first one to present your collection ! Isn’t that incredible ?”

  Cyrielle blinked slowly, having trouble with understanding what was happening.

  “I will have my own runway ?”

  Coline broke into a big smile.

  “Yes ! Isn’t it obvious ? You’re not just anyone, you are Mademoiselle Cyrielle, the queen of issues ! On that note, there is something I want to sincerely ask you, not as a friend, but as a model.”

  She put her cutlery down and walked to Cyrielle, holding her hands, and looking her in the eyes.

  “Mademoiselle Cyrielle, will you let me model your designs ?”

  Cyrielle looked at her friend, who had a serious expression. She seemed solemn, but inside she was screaming.

  ‘Don’t throw me a curveball like that, let me at least process what just happened !’

  But she didn’t let it show, simply nodding.

  “I’ll even let you close the show.”

  Coline opened her mouth wide, dramatically gasping.

  “You will let me close the show ?! It’s the most important position, the one that must leave the biggest impression on the public ! You can’t just give it away like that !”

  Cyrielle shook her head, holding firmly her friend’s hands.

  “I am not giving it away, I truly believe that you are an incredible model. Besides, it can be considered a publicity stunt. Us two working together as colleagues from the same agency will surely excite the public.”

  Coline held back her tears, ughing weakly.

  “Of course, that’s what you would say. You know, under your elegant facade, you truly are a golden retriever !”

  The two friends hugged tightly. After Coline had somewhat calmed down, they resumed their meal with a more cheerful atmosphere.

  ‘Did you see the date on the screenshot ?’

  [The show is pnned for the 1st of October. We are currently on the 5th of July. You roughly have two months to find your models and finish your prototypes.]

  ‘This will be hard.’

  Cyrielle smiled softly.

  ‘But somehow, I’m getting excited.’

  AmbreaTaddy